Pheasants Numbers Increase

Area hunters are anxiously awaiting the opening this weekend of Pheasant season in Nebraska.State Game and Parks officials say hunters can expect to find plenty of birds. The regular season opens Oct. 31, and only rooster pheasants may be taken. The daily bag limit is three, and the possession limit is 12. The season ends Jan. 31. Wildlife surveys in the spring and summer indicated a statewide increase in pheasant populations compared to 2008 even though some area individuals indicated that they believe local numbers of birds to be down. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission credits a generally mild winter, followed by a warm spring, for the increase.